ByG Chiangi Avese, Makurdi
Ahead of Saturday’s bye-election for Guma 1 State Constituency, Governor Hyacinth Alia and the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, have assured the electorate in the Guma local government area of violence-free polls, saying the government and security agencies are prepared and ready to ensure everything plays out well on Saturday.
A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Sir Tersoo Kula said the Governor accompanied by the State Security Chiefs gave the assurance on Friday, at the Benue State Government House Makurdi, as they emerged from a security meeting preparatory to the election slated for Saturday.
Speaking on the preparedness of the state government for the security and safety of voters during the election, the governor said “We are quite prepared and we want the people to know that a level playing ground is going to be given to all the political parties”.
“Peace is going to reign, as we are not a lawless people. It is our hope and our preparedness that everything plays out very well tomorrow,” the governor stated.
Gov. Alia called on those creating anxiety and tension in the minds of the electorates to desist, urging eligible voters to come out at their various polling units on Saturday and express their franchise, doing so in a peaceful and orderly manner.
The governor, however, cautioned those still holding gatherings and meetings within the local government, saying the time for politicking is over, and as such, there should be no political meetings anywhere within the area.
“Let it be on record that the time for politicking is over and we are just awaiting the elections tomorrow. And so, all gatherings and meetings must be disbanded. We are a lawful state and we must play by the supremacy of the law. There should not be any political meetings within the local government area.”
Asked to comment on the pace and quality of the ongoing road projects in the state capital, the governor expressed satisfaction with the pace and quality of work done, saying, “With what we have monitored and inspected so far, it is one hundred per cent done, and done properly.”
Also responding, the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Emmanuel Adesina, equally assured the people of the Guma local government area that his men are ready and prepared for the election, warning those planning to disrupt the exercise to shelve their plan, as they will not be allowed to have their way.
He called on the electorates to come out on Saturday and cast their votes, assuring that his officers would create a level playing ground for all to vote for their preferred candidates.
